Urology - Kidney Stone Centre

Treatment Options

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Patients with large kidney stones or staghorn calculi may benefit from a surgical
procedure called a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This procedure is done
under a general anesthetic and involves a small incision in the back where
a tube can be inserted into a kidney. A special telescope called a nephroscope
is inserted to locate the stones. Through the nephroscope, various instruments
can be inserted to break up and remove stones.

This procedure generally involves admission to hospital for two to three days.
After surgery, a catheter remains in the bladder over-night, and a nephrostomy
tube remains through the small incision in the back. The nephrostomy tube is
usually removed prior to the patient’s release from hospital.